Our Couples Love Stories
The Story Tellers
Lori & Andy, October 8 2011, Great Hall, London Ontario
The Story
Our Encounter
Andy and I met in what is turning out to be a more conventional way to meet someone: the internet.
Back in 2006, Andy was new to London and I was curious as to who else was out there.
Coincidentally, we both chose Lava life as our means of meeting new people. Andy ended up finding me the day I was going to take my profile offline. After a few messages, we added each other to MSN Messenger and got to know each other a little better. Funnily enough, Andy already knew my Dad. We discovered they had worked together on the World Lacrosse Championships earlier that summer. What a small world.
After a few weeks of chatting, we finally decided to meet. We set our date for 8 p.m. on November 19th, 2006 (a Sunday night) at Williams Coffee Pub in downtown London. I arrived early and got a comfy bench seat, curiously waiting for my date. When my cell phone rang around 8:00 p.m. and Andy was on the other line, I was getting nervous. Thankfully he wasn't calling to cancel, he just wanted to let me know he was running behind. About ten minutes later, in walked a guy, dressed in a blue shirt and jeans (we had previously let each other know what we would be wearing so we wouldn't ask each and every stranger if they were our date). I waved at Andy and he walked over to where I was sitting. We got ourselves a beverage and began chatting as if we were old friends. Timed passed quickly but we weren't ready to leave each other's company yet. We went for a walk (twice!) around Victoria Park continuously chatting nonstop. Due to the fact that it was November and cold, we thought it would be a good idea to go inside somewhere and warm up. Symposium was our selection and a yummy piece of cheesecake is what we ordered.
Finally at about 11:30 p.m. we decided it was probably time to head our separate ways. Andy (being the gentleman he is) walked me to my car despite the fact that he was parked elsewhere. Once at my car, Andy took my hand, kissed the back of it and we exchanged our happiness about how well the night went.
The whole way home I was smiling. I later found out, Andy drove home with a big smile on his face as well.
For both of us, it was the best first date ever.
Our Engagement
It was a chilly, but beautiful December evening.
Ever since we started dating, going to see Stuart McLean for his Christmas concert had been our tradition. On Tuesday, December 15th, it would be our third time attending this concert.
The evening started with a wonderful dinner at Bertoldi's. Andy had prearranged with the staff for us to be seated in the very same spot as we had on our second date. During our delicious dinner, the snow started to fall heavily on the ground outside. It was gorgeous.
After our excellent dinner, we decided it would be nice to grab some coffee and dessert at Williams. Fittingly, this is where we met for our first date. Williams was crowded with people trying to escape the blizzard that had begun outside, but to us, we were the only ones there.
Stuart McLean, as always, was excellent. Extremely entertaining and truly got us into the Christmas spirit. After the concert, as we were heading towards the car, the snow started to fall once more. As we walked through Victoria Park with the Christmas lights glowing on the trees around us, everything felt just right. Andy led me to a bench in the middle of the park, sat me down and proceeded to get down on one knee. Out came a box and then the most beautiful ring. "Of course" was all I could say.
Passersby wished us congratulations as we hugged and kissed in the falling snow. What a perfect night, a perfect place, and the perfect people to share it together.
The Story Tellers
Emily & Russell, September 17, 2011, The Holiday Inn, Sarnia Ontario
The Story
Our Encounter
Through friends about 10 years ago. We share many friends in common, and always thought the other was kind of cute. 3 years ago we went to the same pub together, and I (Emily), bought Russell a beer. He loved the fact that a) a girl was buying him a beer and b) I shared a great many interests with him. We chatted the night away, and the rest is history.
Our Engagement
Picture this; the sun has just set on a beautiful Friday night, we're sitting next to the campfire, drinking beer and laughing together. The people at the campsite next to us have been playing music all day, mostly oldies rock and roll. Then, Louis Armstrong's deep soulful voice chimes in.
Russell stands up (at this point I'm pretty sure he wants to dance with me), he takes my hands and pulls me up from my chair (he definitely wants to dance), he drops to one knee and tells me that he's loved me for a long time, that he loves me more and more still, and that he wants to spend his life with me (I guess he didn't want to dance). All of this amidst the cheers from the people next campsite over.
We're engaged!
The perfect proposal!
It really IS a wonderful world
Our Excitement
The celebration!
The Story Tellers
Tracey & Pete, October 15, 2011, The French Club, Cambridge Ontario
The Story
Our Encounter
Pete and I met on a internet dating site. I had just moved to the Waterloo/Kitchener area and did not know anyone. I thought why not try to meet someone on line, that way I can be picky.
We met for coffee at Timmies, then he took me for ice cream and for a walk by the Grand River. I left a few day after that to go to Calgary for my sisters wedding.
We had made plans to meet again the following Wednesday after I got back. I mixed up the days and arrived at his house on Tuesday. Needless to say I met his kids before we had planned on. Our first date was July 15, 2007 and we have been together since.
Our Engagement
Pete asked me to marry him on Christmas morning 2008. I opened one of my gifts from him and it was a box of timbits. I laughed, knowing he has a sense of humor.
As I opened the box to pass some out to the kids, I noticed the velvet box on the bottom. I then started to cry tears of joy as he sat there with a big grin on his face.
Our Excitement
Pete and I are very excited to join our families. We would like to make them a part of the ceremony as much as possible. This is not just the two of us joining together, it is the 6 of us.
The Story Tellers
Kristen & Kyle, September 23, 2011, Bellamere Winery, London Ontario
The Story
Our Encounter
We met while working together at Caledon Woods Golf Club in Bolton Ontario. We were friends for a year before we ever started dating. We started dating in May of 2007 and have rarely been apart since.
Our Engagement
Kyle and I had discussed getting engaged early on in our relationship. We knew that we wanted to get married pretty much right away. Kyle was given a ring from his mom that his dad had given her and they both wanted this to be my ring.
The only thing that I told Kyle about getting engaged was that I would like it to be a surprise. We both have very busy jobs in the summer months and rarely get an opportunity to spend an extended amount of time together. We had planned and booked a camping trip to The Pinery in Grand Bend for the last weekend of August. During the weekend we met my Dad and Stepmom for dinner with my sister and her boyfriend.
I didn't know it at the time but, Kyle asked my Dads' permission to ask me to marry him that night. The next day as we were cooking breakfast over the campfire, Kyle got down on his knee in the sand and asked me to marry him. I was very surprised and of course I said yes.
Our Excitement
Our wedding day excitement is finally getting to share our relationship with our family and to legally join as husband and wife.
The Story Tellers
Chelsey & Matthew, October 1, 2011, Country View Golf Course, Chatham Ontario
The Story
Our Encounter
We met during Orientation week at University of Guelph when a friend of Chelsey's from Ottawa was living across the hall from Matthew. We became friends immediately and four months later began dating.
Our Engagement
Matthew had been planning a romantic proposal at the Guelph Arboretum in the English Rose Garden in mid-October but, to his dismay, the day before the intended proposal the grounds keeping staff had torn up the gardens.
The following night, while he was working on an essay I kept complaining that I was bored. He then told me that there was something sparkly hidden in the house and if I found it she could have it.
It took two hours before I found a small box at the bottom of a sock drawer (of all places). When I opened the box Matthew got down on one knee and proposed; I cried.
Our Excitement
Our wedding day excitement is being married, finally. (We've been engaged for 3 years)
The Story Tellers
Amy & Michael, January 15 2011, Paris Grand, Paris Ontario
The Story
Our Encounter
We met the day I walked into TD bank to see a financial advisor. Mike had been referred to me by a mutual friend while I was trying to purchase a condo.
He was recently separated, and I honestly didn't give him a second thought initially. Until a friend mentioned he had asked about me....we started talking almost daily and the rest is history!
Our Engagement
I knew that Mike had purchased a ring a while before, and that he wasn't sure when he was going to propose.
We went out for dinner to Del Dentes (a favorite date restaurant) and Mike was acting strange. He kept telling me I had something on my face, then passed me a napkin. Apparently the ring was in the napkin, but I didn't notice.
By the time we got home, Mike was acting weird, and I went to get changed. He had slipped the ring into my shirt, and I missed it again. Eventually we had to shake the shirt out to get the ring to fall out!! It was quite humorous and something we will never forget.
Our Excitement
My wedding day excitement is saying my vows to Mike.
The Story Tellers
Krista & Chris, July 16 2011, Langton Ontario
The Story
Our Encounter
We met each other in school through friends.
Our Engagement
We got engaged on Christmas morning of 2007.
We were at my parents house opening gifts, when he told me to go to the tree by my Winnie the Pooh ornament and and there was a little purple box.
When I turned around he was there down on one knee asking me to marry him. I chuckled and said yes.
Our Excitement
Our wedding day excitement is sharing the day with family.
The Story Tellers
Sarah & Travis, August 6 2011, Wellington County Museum & Archives, Fergus, Ontario
The Story
Our Encounter
In October 2004 we met at a Billy Talent concert. Sarah spotted Travis in the crowd and we've been inseparable ever since..
Our Engagement
Travis told me to pack my bags for a few nights. When he got home he brought me a dozen colorful roses and we gathered our bags to the front door. Then he said "our ride's here". And there was a long white limo pulling into the driveway.
After sipping champagne and listening to music in the limo, we arrived at Sterling Inn & Spa in Niagara Falls. When we walked into this hotel it blew me away!
We got into the limo and made our way to the Keg overlooking the falls for dinner. Shortly after Travis wanted to stroll down beside the falls. A couple was walking by and he asked "can you take a picture of us?"
They took the first picture and he asked, "can you take one more?"
Just as I am smiling for the photo Travis got down on one knee and pulled out the most beautiful, sparkling, shiny rock I have ever seen and asked "Will you marry me?"
Our Excitement
Our wedding day excitement is seeing each other when the ceremony starts. There is bound to be tears of excitement!!
The Story Tellers
Elanna & Steven, February 26 2011, West Haven Golf & Country Club, London Ontario
The Story
Our Encounter
We met at work. Steve was a mechanic in the shop and I worked in the rental department.
Our Engagement
We went to Niagara Falls to celebrate our 4 year anniversary, before we left my mom had been going on about bed bugs so when we got home I wanted to get all of our clothes washed.
I put my clothes in the washing machine and then I went to unload Steve's bag...inside the bag I found a touque and inside the touque was the ring box...I didn't open it. I pretended that I didn't find it and I didn't say anything to Steve.
A couple days went by and I was laying on the couch thinking why didn't he ask me...if he doesn't ask me by the weekend I am just going to tell him that I found it. Steve was cooking dinner and I walked up to him and said "Steve do you love me?" he said "of coarse I do" I said "then show me" Steve looked at me and said "you snooped!!!"
Then he went to the bedroom, he came back and said "Elanna will you marry me" he handed me the box and when I opened it, it was empty. Steve started to laugh and then gave me the ring...that I had been waiting for four years!
Our Excitement
Our wedding day excitement is making an official commitment to one another.
The Story Tellers
Anita & Randolph, January 2 2011, Wings of Paradise, Cambridge Ontario
The Story
Our Encounter
Two engineers, two thousand kilometers apart, too little interest for the common bar-scene called for a membership with an online dating site to match up our personalities and interests.
What started as a long distance relationship quickly became evident that both of us had similar views on life, interests, passion and goals. After moving back to KW from the prairies, things escalated and both of us were inseparable from then on.
Our Engagement
It was 22 months later, on the morning of Christmas day...
Anita opened (what seemed to be) a comical gift model of her beloved (and missed) Nissan 350Z. Upon closer inspection, Randy had mounted a fabulous diamond engagement ring in the rear trunk of the toy car.
A quick eye-opening, jaw dropping gasp later, Anita accepted Randy's plea for a life-long commitment and the rest is history.
Our Excitement
Our wedding day excitement is seeing each other first time when I'm walking up the aisle.
The Story Tellers
Miranda & Jordan, April 30 2011, The Gunner's Club. Brantford Ontario
The Story
Our Encounter
We met by chance or maybe it was simply fate. Both coming out of failed marriages and not looking for love. Sitting in a church basement at a mutual friends mothers funeral.
There she was, a ray of sunshine on an otherwise cloudy day. The most beautiful woman I had ever seen, sitting right in front of me. Not one word was said just glances. I watched her talk to others and fix her hair. I knew at the moment that we were meant to be together forever. Not sure how I knew, just did.
She didn't know it yet but that was the first day of the rest of our lives together. I had no doubt in my mind, I completely fell in love with her that day without even speaking to her and I fell hard. A few days past and I sent her an email we have talked everyday since. Falling deeply in love and completing each other.
Our Engagement
We had been together 3 weeks short of 1 year. Jordan had ordered the ring weeks earlier and had picked it up the day before. He had originally planned to propose on our 1 year anniversary at a park we used to go walking in together at night but he couldn't wait that long.
As soon as he had the ring in his possession, he was ready to go. Unfortunately I was sick on the day and couldn't go out anywhere. Jordan had made me a ring days earlier out of a cheerio and a twist tie as sort of a promise ring. We were sitting on the back step at night enjoying some fresh air when he asked if he could replace the cheerio ring. I told him no (wasn't going to let him get off that easy!) and then he got down on one knee on our stairs, shaking like a leaf and whispered 'will you marry me". Of course I said yes and hugged him close and could feel his heart beating a mile a minute...he was so nervous it was cute.
Even though we weren't in some romantic place and there was no secret plan or gimmick, it was one of the most vulnerable, genuine moments I've ever been a part of. We've now been together for 3 years, engaged for 2 and couldn't be happier. We truly feel that we are soul mates who were destined to meet.
Our Excitement
My wedding day excitement is seeing Miranda for the first time. She is my absolute soul mate and I am the luckiest man in the world to know her. My life is complete with her in it.
The Story Tellers
Carrie & Tyler, October 8 2011, Pleasant Valley Golf Course, St. Thomas Ontario
The Story
Our Encounter
Tyler went to school with my older sister from kindergarten through grade 12, so we have always kind of known each other.
One day in 2006 I was surfing MySpace and came across Tyler's profile. I saw that he was living in Whistler and had taken some beautiful pictures. I commented on a couple of them mentioning my plans of heading West for a visit.
He convinced me to come spend half my trip with him and I obliged. We had multiple trips for both of us back and forth between provinces and one meeting in Mexico! We lived in different Provinces for the first year until he moved back home to Ontario.
Our Engagement
We were on our annual visit to British Columbia. I knew going into this trip I was coming home engaged no matter what!
It's been 4 long years and we started our relationship in BC and I wanted us to take the next step in BC. As soon as I knew he didn't bring a ring with him, I knew it was up to me.
I think we were about 3 days into the trip at a bar in Parkesville, BC and I asked him to marry me out on the dance floor! He said Yes!
Our Excitement
Our wedding day excitement is marrying my best friend and laughing and crying a lot.
The Story Tellers
Heather & Eric, April 30 2011, Delta Armories, London Ontario
The Story
Our Encounter
We actually met at work. We were in the same training class. After working together and him asking me out for some time, I decided to agree to go out with him.
Our Engagement
Eric wanted to surprise me so he snuck out early in the morning when he came home he decided to wake me up by letting the phone ring and ring. I finally answered the phone and he hung up.
When I called back I heard his phone ringing on the other side of the door when I opened the door he was there on one knee with a dozen lilies and a ring.
Our Excitement
Our wedding day excitement is finally being married!
The Story Tellers
Pamela & Jeramie, February 20 2011, Eglinton Grand, Toronto Ontario
The Story
Our Encounter
Pamela Met Jeramie on a trip to the Bahamas on February 23, 2005.
Jer was on vacation with his good friend Sol and Pam was on vacation with her family. It was Jer's last night in the Caribbean and Pam's first.
A girl named Sam (from Waterloo) provided the introduction. Without sounding to cliché: it was love at first sight! Jer and Pam spent the entire night exchanging stories, sharing their lives, and eventually were amazed to discover they also share the same birthday. Team 0217 was created!
Unfortunately, with the rising of the bright Caribbean sun; the night had to end. With no sleep Pamela walked Jeramie to his shuttle bus and they exchanged their first goodbye.
It wasn't long after Jeramie's arrival back home in Canada that the emails began. When Pam finished her trip and arrived back in New York; telephone bills were added to the equation. They managed to speak almost everyday, despite the distance and rising costs of long distance phone bills.
Thanks to technology, Pamela and Jeramie remained in touch. This long distance relationship provided the foundation on which Jeramie and Pamela will build a lifetime of love, laughter, and joy!
TEAM 0217 Forever!!
Our Engagement
Jeramie proposed to Pamela on August 14th, 2009.
It was a beautiful Friday morning in Tobermory, Ontario. It was one of the hottest days of the summer, and the skies were clear and sunny. Jeramie took Pamela on a glass bottom boat cruise among shipwrecks and islands in Georgian Bay. All the while, Jeramie continued to discuss the possibility of stranded sailors marooned on these islands.
The cruise docked at Flowerpot Island. At this point, Jeramie and Pamela took to the hiking trail. As they walked along the rocky shore, Pam begged for a dive in the water while Jeramie insisted on continuing on to find the 'perfect diving spot'. When they located the spot that overlooked the bay and offered rock outcrops for diving, they settled in.
It was at this point that Pamela spotted an old weathered bottle washing up on shore. With thoughts of the shipwrecks fresh in her mind, Pamela noticed the scroll inside this bottle.
Pamela struggled to open the bottle. Once she popped the cork; the paper, attached by a string to the cork, slid out into her hands. Jeramie got on one knee, as she unraveled the note. While still in shock she read the note, she realized she couldn't sell this letter to a museum and there was no perfect diving spot. Jeramie had this all planned. She said yes!
Our Excitement
Our wedding day excitement is showing our love and commitment to each other in front of all our friends and family.
